On the 29th anniversary of the rejection of homosexuality as a disease, the staff and young people of the headspace Orange community will stand with their LGBTIQA+ peers. headspace Orange has pledged its support to the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia, celebrated around the world on Friday, the date the World Health Organisation voted to delist homosexuality. Sharna Lord, Community Engagement at headspace Orange, said IDAHOBIT is a day to educate and spur change in attitude and perception. "There has been significant progress made to create a more inclusive society - which is fantastic - but we still find rainbow young people being the targets of discrimination and exclusion," she said. Research has shown that the LGBTIQA+ community are at greatest risk of developing mental health concerns, with young rainbow people presenting as some of the most vulnerable. A BeyondBlue study found that 24.4 per cent of sexually diverse people and 36.2 per cent of Trans Australians are experiencing depression, in comparison to the 6.8 per cent of the general population. "Everyone plays a role in reducing these alarming statistics by promoting social justice and basic human rights, irrespective of gender identity or sexual orientation," Ms Lord said. headspace said Friday was an opportunity to celebrate rainbow people and stand with them as proud allies. A role which has had immeasurable impact recently, particularly in the successful campaign for Marriage Equality in 2017. "Allies are critical to the fight for equality, the breakdown of stereotypes, and creating supportive, inclusive environments," Ms Lord said.

On the 29th anniversary of the rejection of homosexuality as a disease, the staff and young people of the headspace Orange community will stand with their LGBTIQA+ peers.

headspace Orange has pledged its support to the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia, celebrated around the world on Friday, the date the World Health Organisation voted to delist homosexuality.

We still find rainbow young people being the targets of discrimination and exclusion

Sharna Lord

Sharna Lord, Community Engagement at headspace Orange, said IDAHOBIT is a day to educate and spur change in attitude and perception.

"There has been significant progress made to create a more inclusive society - which is fantastic - but we still find rainbow young people being the targets of discrimination and exclusion," she said.

Research has shown that the LGBTIQA+ community are at greatest risk of developing mental health concerns, with young rainbow people presenting as some of the most vulnerable.

A BeyondBlue study found that 24.4 per cent of sexually diverse people and 36.2 per cent of Trans Australians are experiencing depression, in comparison to the 6.8 per cent of the general population.

"Everyone plays a role in reducing these alarming statistics by promoting social justice and basic human rights, irrespective of gender identity or sexual orientation," Ms Lord said.

headspace said Friday was an opportunity to celebrate rainbow people and stand with them as proud allies. A role which has had immeasurable impact recently, particularly in the successful campaign for Marriage Equality in 2017.

"Allies are critical to the fight for equality, the breakdown of stereotypes, and creating supportive, inclusive environments," Ms Lord said.